Mass Transit Benefits: Population Rebounds Around Train Stations

A new study by New Jersey Future found that while population growth statewide and in car-oriented communities has slowed, population in transit-oriented neighborhoods has grown in recent years.

Highlights:

Transit-oriented population growth accounted for 38.3% of the overall population growth in New Jersey

Between 2000-2008 that Paterson neighborhood that was within a half mile of the downtown train station was losing population at a rate of 473 people per year. Since 2008, however, the area has rebounded and is gaining 220 people per year on average

In the almost decade before the recession, the area surrounding Radburn Station in Fair Lawn was losing population at a rate of 8.5% per year, whereas post-recession the neighborhood has gained population at a rate of 5.5% a year